Michigan

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander stretches before his next pitch during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park in Detroit.
(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

The operation was performed early Thursday by Philadelphia-based surgeon William Meyers, who also performed a similar surgery on Miguel Cabrera in late October.

Verlander, who turns 31 next month, suffered the lower-body injury, which is believed to be a sports hernia, while working out late last month. The nature and extent of the injury remains unclear, but it's clear that Verlander will miss at least a portion of spring training.

He will now undergo rehabilitation for the next six to eight weeks, and is expected to be fully recovered by Opening Day. The Tigers open the 2014 regular season at home against the Kansas City Royals on March 31.

"We fully anticipate Justin to participate in spring training and be in a position to compete at the beginning of the 2014 season," general manager David Dombrowski said in a statement.

Considered one of baseball's prominent workhorses, Verlander is notorious for his regimented offseason conditioning program, which he plans down to the last detail. He went 13-12 with a 3.46 ERA in 34 starts last season.

The injury puts Verlander in jeopardy of making his seventh consecutive Opening Day start. In the event he isn't fully recovered before the start of the regular season, reigning AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer is expected to be named the Opening Day starter.

"Thanks for the support regarding my surgery today," Verlander tweeted Thursday. "It went well and now my only focus is to get ready for 2014."

Detroit's first pitchers and catchers spring workout is scheduled for Feb. 14, while the first full squad workout in Lakeland, Fla., will take place on Feb. 18.